State Senator-elect Steve Chan was able to flip a blue seat in New York held by Sen. Iwen Chu in November — but now reports are examining his ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Chan, who was born in Hong Kong, won New York's 17th Senate District that's long been held by Democrats. However, the New York Times reports a connection to John Chan, who "was a Chinatown gangster before remaking himself into a powerful force in New York politics."
The report begins with a meeting between an advisory body and Chinese President Xi Jinping about the goal of spreading the influence of the country's communist party. One of the 2,000 advisers was from the United States, the Times reported — John Chan.
"Mr. Chan’s participation reflected a remarkable proximity to the highest levels of power in China, experts said, and marked him as a person on whom the country’s leaders might call for favors," said the Times. "But it was remarkable, too, because of his position at home: He has operated as a power broker in America’s largest city, with immense sway over an important subset of New York politics."
In the past, Chan was able to impact New York elections without much effort, but "lately, federal investigations into foreign influence efforts have swirled around city and state government in New York," the Times reported.
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A top aide to Mayor Eric Adams had their home searched after law enforcement suspected she could be a Chinese agent. In a separate case, an aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul was accused of "serving the Chinese government by blocking Taiwanese officials from the governor’s office."
The report now links Steve Chan to John Chan.
"In an interview in September, Steve Chan attempted to distance himself from Mr. Chan, and his campaign manager noted that he had returned a donation from Mr. Chan," said the report.
“If the man is associated with the C.C.P., the best we can do is remain cordial," said Steve Chan at the time.
“Can we be allies? No. Can we be friends? Sure. But it ends right there," he promised.
Just a few weeks later, he took the stage at an event celebrating the People's Republic of China with John Chan.
“You must vote for him, and send him to the State Senate!" John Chan told the crowd, speaking Mandarin.
Indeed, Steve Chan, defeated Chu, and flipped the seat red.
The report warned, it was one of several races John Chan was involved in.